SWTC Demonstration of Avoidance of Brittle Fracture

This specification describes the test and reporting requirements for a mechanical property test regime, required to gather data for SWTC - 255 Transport Package components. The program of work covers Fracture Toughness, Residual Stress Measurement, Instrumented Fracture Toughness and Tensile Testing.

There is a UK strategic requirement for an IAEA SSR-6 compliant transport package, known as the SWTC-255, that will enable the transport of low heat generating waste from storage sites across the UK to a Geological Disposal Facility.

An Integrated Project Team (IPT), consisting of NTS, NWS and NDA are leading the design of the SWTC-255. A programme of work has been agreed with NWS to develop the package through preliminary design with the aim of achieving a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of 4.

The SWTC-255 package body and lid are currently specified as being manufactured by machining of Cast Martensitic Steel (CMS) to BS EN 10213:2007 Steel No. 1.6982. Several manufacturability studies have been completed that concluded this was the preferred material to use for the SWTC-255.

NTS commissioned a review of previous material studies to inform the development of a brittle fracture case for the SWTC-255. The report recommended a program of additional testing to establish fracture toughness properties of the CMS.

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